Apple moves to stop App Store scammers submitting fake apps

by Freddie Harrison

iTunes Connect rule change means you’ll no longer get stung downloading a fake app with screenshots from a legitimate one

Ever downloaded an App only to find that it didn’t match up to what was promised by the screenshots in the App Store? It’s an issue that’s cropped up time and time again on the iOS App Store, with scammers taking advantage of Apple’s rules that allow screenshots to be changed for App Store listings without approval.

All this could end, though, with Apple introducing new rules which stop developers from updating their App Store screenshots unless an update to their app is submitted. In an announcement on their developer portal, Apple said:

“Beginning January 9, app screenshots will be locked in iTunes Connect once your app has been approved. New screenshots may be uploaded when you submit a binary for an update to an existing app or a new app.”

The change should go a long way to stopping scammers from uploading sub-par apps, replacing its screenshots from one that’s more popular and legitimate and tricking people into downloading something they weren’t expecting. It may, however, cause some frustration for honest developers who’ll need to submit full updates in order to make any adjustments to their screenshots.